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casual · 13-11-2011, 18:26

Does anyone know how to inspect keel bolts,withouy removing them?
4Thank you

ShaunJ · 13-11-2011, 18:49

I would think a visual inspection would be a good start. When I was looking at 432 Beneteau's it was very evident which boats need new ones. The bolts that needed to be replaced were the ones that the head of the bolt were rusted and looked like they wouldn't hold up the keel for much longer. I would guess that the hidden part of the bolt that you can't see would need to be removed to be inspected.
Welcome to the forum.

Butler · 13-11-2011, 23:42

Not sure if this willl help but...
Haven't tried it myself but I hear that giving each one a wack with a hammer and listening to the noise it makes can help. I understand that the good ones will make a healthy "ping" when struck.
You can pay a yard to pull one or two to get a sense of the general condition of the bolts and while hauled you can inspect for any opened seam or stress cracking along the keel to hull joint.
Finally I understand it's possible to have the keel x-rayed though as you might imagine this can only give an idea of condition above the actual keel-weight.
I looked at all these options with my previous boat where the keel bolt heads were buried under glass at the bottom of the integral water tank

that was to deep to reach into and even start to clear away some glass and too small to climb into. Sold the boat before I got to that to-do on the list.
Good luck with that and keep us posted!

**minaret** · 13-11-2011, 23:57

Ultrasound, X-ray radiography, and magnetic particle flaw detection are all excellent non-destructive testing methods for ferrous materials. Find someone in your area who uses one of these techniques and has experience with keelbolts. Ask your surveyor.

CharlieCobra · 14-11-2011, 05:33

When the CS36M "Kyrie" had a loose keel, we dropped it or rather, lifted the boat off and inspected them visually before rebedding the keel. Best way I know.